Business As Usual

Maxine Waters gets a pass in her husband's bank case:

Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte, acting chairman of the panel, announced the tentative findings at the hearing but noted the committee had not issued a final report.

Goodlatte said the committee was convinced that when Waters asked for a meeting at the Treasury Department to discuss financial help for minority banks, she believed she did so on behalf of all minority banks -- not just OneUnited, where her husband owns stock. Goodlatte said the committee agreed with Waters' assertion.

The acting chairman said that when Waters realized OneUnited was in serious trouble, she told then-chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to handle any further matters in the case. Goodlatte said, however, that Moore continued efforts in Congress to get committee help for OneUnited, even sending the committee staff an email saying, "OneUnited is in trouble."

Moore defended his actions, saying he violated no House rules.

The case could have had political implications because the California lawmaker expects to be the senior Democrat next year on the committee that oversees the financial industry. Waters, who routinely wins her Los Angeles district overwhelmingly, could become chairwoman if Democrats win control of the House.

What's a little corruption between friends and family?